Today Eilat, the southernmost city in Israel, is famous for beaches, five star resorts, and the preferred beach destination and holiday paradise town of Israeli’s and many European’s in and around Europe. Eilat lives by the rhythm of the sun, in the desert, the sea and the nature around the Red Sea, and is also recommended for a tour extension for time of leisure when traveling on a holy land tour.
The city of Eilat is a new city just established only in 1950, yet it has been a strategically significant area in history for many periods and as a important port – starting in the days of King Solomon (whom built a fleet of war ships which he sent to Ophir), as well as through the Nabataeans, Romans, Arabs, and Crusaders, all whom have ruled the Land of Israel during it’s Biblical and human history.
In the winter and colder months it attracts tourists from Europe who prefer holidays in a warmer and more pleasant climate then their ice and snow covered countries, while Israelis flock to the Red Sea beaches in the summer. The attraction of this city’s charm is its special location in the northern end of the Bay of Eilat. The combination of a hot climate, a tropical sea, and beautiful backgrounds of the mountains around Eilat has turned it into a tourist oasis all the year round.
One of the major attractions in Eilat is the bay in the Red Sea which allows developed water sports, and some of the best diving around the world with majestic Coral Reserves that support an abundant tropical sea life. Within the grounds of the reserve is the Underwater Observatory, with a marine museum that shows collections of fascinating sea animals. Nearby from the observatory is the popular Dolphin Reef with its resident school of dolphins.
While not all Christian Holy Land tours offer Eilat within their itineraries, it’s a popular tour extension after a week of busy touring for rest and relaxation, as well as a main launching gateway for tour excursions in to Petra Jordan. Eilat offers many restaurants that suit all tastes, as well as cafes, clubs, colorful shops and a popular promenade which has a vibrant bazaar (market) during the summer months. There are additional attractions for the family, such as an amusement park, a new “Kings City” (a high tech theme park based on the Bible). Eilat also has IMAX 3D theatre offering an incredible visual experience.
Eilat is also know for its incredible local mountains landscape, and picturesque arid desert that provides many beauty spots and archaelogical and historical sites, which also make a great area for special holy land trips, that include camel treks, jeep off road tours, and hiking tours.
The many natural wonders and attractions of this area, the inviting beaches, crystal seas and sunny climate, make Eilat a choice holiday destination for travelers from all over the world.